We get asked “why don’t you buy or sell lab grown Diamonds?” by our customers and whilst there are multiple reasons for this decision, we have broken it down to three main reasons:
Lab grown Diamonds do not hold their value over time.
While lab-grown Diamonds have become increasingly accessible, their new purchase prices have plummeted significantly, which is in stark contrast to natural Diamonds. We’ve observed that lab-grown diamonds are depreciating rapidly over time. In fact, wholesale data reveals that some have seen up to a 75% decrease in value in just the past two years alone, with the potential for further declines remaining uncertain.
Vogue India published an article earlier this year discussing the dangers of greenwashing lab-grown diamonds, where analyst Paul Ziminisky comments, someone who spent $10,600 on a LGD in 2016 would have been able to buy the exact same stone in 2023 for $2,445. In our professional, expert opinion we expect them to continue to get cheaper and cheaper, as we have seen with other synthetic stones in the jewellery market.
Image courtesy of Vogue India of Lab Grown Diamond before treatment
Although this might not seem concerning at first, it may be an issue if you ever lose your jewellery or need to insure for replacement, as the new value of your item could end up being just a fraction of what you originally paid.
As a boutique committed to crafting timeless jewellery that will be cherished for generations, we make it a priority to only work with precious stones, showing their unique and rare qualities, ensuring to avoid mass manufacturing synonymous with Lab Grown Diamonds.
We do not promote mass-produced jewellery, but promote a circular jewellery movement.
We have noticed the availability of lab-grown Diamonds has spurred a surge in others using synthetic materials, a trend we believe compromises the integrity and authenticity of the jewellery craft. The price of laboratory-grown Diamonds reflects the quantity and quality of their production; with continued mass production, they cost less to produce and lose their value accordingly.
Image courtesy of Vogue India of Lab Grown Diamond Factory
As of today, science cannot substantiate the claim that lab-grown diamonds have a net positive or even neutral impact on the environment; this mirrors the fast fashion industry's issues in a strikingly similar way.
In line with our brand ethos, we steer clear of producing commercial and mass-manufactured pieces, but rather focus on restoring and repurposing pre-loved jewellery, or creating bespoke, one off creations. When creating a bespoke piece, we use recycled materials as much as possible and only use high quality materials to promote longevity of pieces.
We are dedicated to breathing new life into pre-loved treasures
As we actively purchase unwanted fine jewellery, encouraging our customers who are wanting to buy from us to consider shopping pre-loved rather than opting only for new materials.
For example, when designing a bespoke engagement ring, customers have the option to select from our extensive collection of pre-loved loose diamonds or breathe new life into stones from existing pre-loved rings by resetting them in a fresh, custom mount. Alternatively, they can choose to purchase the ring in its original form, allowing it to continue its journey with a new owner.
In addition to pre-loved modern Brilliant cut stones, we particularly specialise in older cuts of Diamonds as we believe they can hold such charm and historical identity, so opting for a repurposed stone can ensure you are keeping its story alive as well as provide a more ethical solution.
At Hatton Jewels, we are a brand that focuses on reducing jewellery waste and redefining traditional purchasing practices. By revitalising old pieces, the boutique strives to cut demand for newly mined gemstones and precious metals, ultimately encouraging people to shop for jewellery more sustainably.
